Challenges of the Bachelor Program of Health Services Management: A Qualitative Study

In recent decades, the quality of educational programs has experienced several challenges. Identifying these challenges can help planners in terms of any change, review, or enhancement in the quality of educational programs. This study aimed to survey the challenges of Health Services Management program at the bachelor level.

In this qualitative study, 27 participants (Academics, Instructors, and Alumni) took part in the research. Participants were chosen based on purposive sampling. After verbal consent, data were gathered through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and content analysis approach was used for further analysis.

A deep concern about the curriculum, clinical fields and program goals/objectives emerged as the strongest themes from the interviews. It seems that the current curriculum and objectives of bachelor program of health services management are outdated and less effective than they should be. Furthermore; participants felt that clinical fields should be taken into consideration by means of orientation classes, hospital-based skills and skillful trainers.

The findings can be helpful for decision makers, educational planners and academics to review the existing program and plan a more suitable one based on the needs of the health care system in the country in order to help alumni gain the required skills and competencies to run the health care units.